Row crop harvest is winding down ahead of the average with 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending October 30, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork included harvesting row crops, completing fall tillage, applying fall fertilizer, baling stalks, and hauling manure. For the second week in a row, some field fires were reported in areas with dry conditions.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 28 percent very short, 44 percent short, and 32 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture condition rated 26 percent very short, 45 percent short, and 29 percent adequate.

Harvest of the Iowa corn crop reached 77 percent completion, five days ahead of last year, and nine days ahead of the average. Corn harvest in northeast and south central Iowa is 58 and 59 percent complete, respectively, while northwest Iowa has harvested 95 percent. Moisture content of field corn harvested for grain was 17 percent. Soybean harvest reached 94 percent completion, one week ahead of last year, and 10 days ahead of the average. 15 percent of the soybean crop was left to harvest in the southwest and south central parts of the state. 

Pasture condition rated 25 percent good to excellent. Dry conditions were an issue for cattle, with many producers moving them off pasture.